Former Microsoft geek added considerable luster to jock credentials this year when his NFL Seattle Seahawks went to the Super Bowl. Hoops proving less rewarding: underperforming Portland Trail Blazers losing Allen millions. Recently abandoned efforts to sell NBA franchise. Ceding No. 3 spot on The Forbes 400 to Sheldon Adelson this year but should have ranked lower all along: previous net worth estimates failed to account for high levels of debt, other investment losses following burst of tech bubble. Whoops. Teamed up with high school friend Bill Gates 1975 to start computer company. Left Microsoft after bout with Hodgkin's disease 1983; retained more than a quarter of company's stock. Selling ever since. Invests proceeds through personal holding company Vulcan Inc.; owns dozens of stakes in media, technology, biotech. Also oil: bought energy outfit Plains Resources for $460 million 2004. Along with founding partners Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen (see) and Steven Spielberg (see) made a few hundred million selling off DreamWorks; took animation unit public early last year, sold live-action movie studio to Paramount December. Remains chairman of onetime cable darling Charter Communications. Devotes majority of time to philanthropy (medicine, education), socializing. Toys include Octopus, a 413-foot yacht that contains 2 helicopters and a 60-foot submarine; large collection of vintage military aircraft.

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